Apparatus for handling strands



March 3, 1936. E. E, NEWTQN Er AL I v2,032,950

APPARATUS FOR HANDLING STRANDS By e @MW A TTORNEY 12 SheetsL-Sheet 2 March 3,y 1936. E. E. NEWTON Er AL APPARATUS FOR HANDLING STRANDS Filed Dec. .22, 1932 f s6 M M m W r M V l mwmm PR m n m 4f. F f l 6 W W 5. 6 IILEE el. G l F 5 a 5 m um H m w. .r 5

Mauth` 3, 1936 E. E. NEwToN E-r AL 2,032,950 f I APPARATUS FOR HANDLING STANDS Filed Dec. 22,- 1932 12 Sheets-Sheet 3 8 H. P. RAY

A froh/ver March 3, 1936. E. E. NEWTON Er 1M.

APPARATUS FOR HANDLING STRANDS Filed Dec. 22, 1932 12 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIG. .9

March 3, 19736. E. E. NEWTON Er AL APPARATUS Foa HANDLING sTRANns Filed Dec. 22, 1932 12 Sheets-Sheet 5 ns. lo www FIG. ll.

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/N'vE/vrons E. E. NEWTON March 3, 193.6.

E. E. NEwToN Er AL APPARATUS FOR HANDLING STR-ANDS Filed Dec. 12 Sheets-Sheet 6 u" .ull

March 3, 1936. E. E. NEWTON E1' AL APPARATUS FOR HANDLING STRANDS Filed Dec. 22, 1932 12 Sheets-Sheet 7 R 'TL rroR/vEr March 3, 1936. E. NEWTON Er AL. 2,032,950

APPARATUS FOR HANDLING STHANDS Y Filed DSC. 22, 1932 12 SheetSvfSheet 8v March 3, 1936. E. E. NEWTON Er A1. I 2,032,950

APPARATUS FOR HANDLING STRANDS Filed Dec. 22, 1952 12 sheets-sheet 9 F/G.. 2l.

NVENTORS /68 v E. E. NEWTON H. P. RAY

A rroP/ VEV4 March 3, 1936. E. E. NEW'ToN ErAL- 2,032,950

APPARATUS FOR HANDLING STRANDS Filed DecQzz, 1932 12 shets-sheet 1o QON AA Mx 'Y n /L N n l/vE/TORS E. E. NEWTON H. P. RAV E R 71ML 'ArraRNEr E. E. NEWTON EI'KAL APPARATUS FOR HANDLING STRANDS Filed Dec. 22, 1952 l2 Sheets-Sheet 11 FIG. 25.

INVENTORS NEWTON H. P. RAY BY SRM ATTORNEY March 3, 1936.

.It :I

March 3, 1936. E. E. NEWTON Er AL 2,032,950

APPARATUS FOR HANDLING STRANDS Filed Deo. 22, 1932 12 Sheets-Sheet 12 A TTORNE )j Oto Patented Mar. 3, 193s UNITED STATES l 2,032,950 APPARATUS" Fon HANDLING s'rnANDs Edwin'E. Newton, Montre Ray, Mount Royal, Qneb to lWestern Electric Company,

New York, N. Y.,

Application December 22,

11 Claims.-

The invention relates to an apparatus for handling strands, and more particularly to an apparatus for applying an insulating enamel coating to an electrical conductor in wire iorm.

The invention is particularly applicable to an apparatus wherein wire is drawn from a supply spool, an enameling compound is applied a plurality of times and the wire is` drawn through a baking oven a corresponding number of times harden the enamel coatings, after which the enameled wire passes over a capstan-which draws it at the desired speed through the apparatus and from which it passes to a take-'up spool.

Objects of the invention are to provide an improved apparatus for handling strands, and to provide an improved apparatus for uniformly coating the strands rapidly and efficiently with a minimum amount of manual labor.

In accordance with apreferred embodiment of the invention, the enamel coatings are applied to the wires by drawing the wires across the faceof a pad saturated with enameling compound. .Wiresto be enameled are supplied to the apparatus from 'a plurality of supply spools mounted on vertical axes and carried by a common vertically supporting framework. The wires are led by suitable guide means to idler sheaves, around .lower rotatable" multiple grooved pulleys, across the face of a -pad saturated with an enameling compound, through a baking oven where the coatings of enamel are baked on the wire, around upper rotatable multiple grooved pulleys, and over a capstan to a plurality of take-up spools, upon which they are wound. Individual friction drives which are designed to allow for the difference in eiective diameter between an empty spool and a full spool are employed to rotate the take-up spools. Each of the wires. passes rapidly a number of times. through vertically extending tubes in the oven, the tubes being located between electrical heating elements of special construction which maintain a very high temperature within the tubes. Special heat insulatingmeans to prevent heat losses are provided and the oven is constructed to allow for the expansion and contraction of the parts thereof while it is being heated and.v cooled.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will more fully appear from thel following detailed description and accompanying drawings, in which,

Fig. 1 is a side elevation 'of a strand coating apparatus embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is an elevation of the inner-end of the along the line |2- tion of the take-up unit taken Fig.2;

v upper portion of al, Quebec, and Hugh P. ec, Canada, assignors Incorporated,

a corporation of New York 1932, Serial N0. 648,414

take-up unit taken along the line 2-2 oi Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an elevational view, partially in section, of a supply spool holder;

Fig. 4 is a plan View of the supply spool holder;

Fig. 5 is an elevational view oi the friction 3 driving device for the supply spool partially'in cross section;

Fig. 6 is a plan -view partially in section of the guide hook and idler sheave employed with the supply Spool; io

Fig. '7 is an elevation of the inner end of the strand coating unit taken on the line 1-1 o! Fig. 1:

Fig. 8 is an enlarged side view of the lower portion of the enamel coating unit shownin Fig. 1; 15

Fig. 9 is an end view ofthe portion o! the enamel coatinglunit shown in Fig. 8:

Fig. 10 is a plan view, partially in section, ci the pad for applying the enameling compound to the wire;

Fig. l1 is an elevational view, partially in section, of the pad shown in Fig. 10;

Fig. l2 is a sectional view oi the pad l2 of Fig. 11; A

Fig.l 13 is a side elevational view oi the oven; 28

Fig. 14 is a sectional elevation of the oven taken on the line I4-l4 of Fig. 13; i

Fig. 15 is a plan view of the oven;

. Fig. 16 is a sectional elevation of the ovenv taken on the line I6-l6 of Fig. 15;

Fig. 17 is a sectional plan view of taken on the line ll-ll of Fig. 14; l

Fig. 18 is a sectional plan view of a portion of the take-up unit taken on the line Iii- Il of Fig. 1';

Fig. 19y is a sectional elevation of a portion of the take-up unit taken on the line IS-IB o! Fig. 18;

Fig. 20 -is a sectional elevation of a portion of the take-up unit taken on the line 20-20 o! Fig. 18:

Fig. 2l is a sectional plan view of another secon the line 2l--2I taken the oven of Fig. 2;

' Fig. 22 is a sectional elevation of a portion of the take-up unit taken on the line 22-22) of Fig. 23 is a sectional elevation of another embodiment ofan oven through one of the tubes;

Fig. 24 is a sectional elevation of the oven taken along the line 24-24 of Fig. 23; Fig. 25 is a plan view of the inner walls of the the oven shownvin Fig. 23; Fig. 26 is an elevational view of one o! the lit.l

.vice 54, a traverse frame inner side walls of the upperv portion of the oven shown in Fig. 23; y

Fig. 27 is an enlarged detailed view of the plates shown in Fig. 26 which make up the inner Walls of the oven;

Fig. 28 is an end view partially in section taken along the line 28 of Fig. 2,6;v

Fig. 29 is a plan viewfoi' the inner walls of the lower section of the oven shown in Fig. 23;

Fig. 30 is an elevational view of the side of thelower section of the inner walls shown in Fig. 23, and

Fig. 3l is an elevational view of one end of the lower section of inner walls shown in Fig. 23.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention 'as shown on the drawings, wherein similar parts are similarly designated throughout the various views, and wherein the general construction of the apparatus as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 7, comprises an enamel coating unit designated generally at 45 (Figs. 1 and 7) and a take-up unit designated generally at 46 (Figs. 1 and 2).

The enamel coating unit 45 comprises a framework designated generally at 28 which supports an oven 2| including a heating unit 34, a plurality of supply spool brackets 22, an equal number of U-shaped guide hooks 23, and equal number of idler sheaves 24, and equal number of independently rotatable multiple grooved pulleys 25 below the oven 2|, an'equal number of,independently rotatable multiple grooved pulleys 29 above the oven, a pad designated generally at 38, an enameling compound supply tank 3|, an enameling compound drainage tank 32, an enameling compound pump 33, a temperature indicating device 35, a temperature control device 36, an exhaust hood 31, and exhaust condenser 38, an exhaust manometer 39, and an exhaust damper 48.

The takeup unit 46 comprises a box shaped base 58 which supports a motor 5|, motor speed control means comprising a rheostat 52, and motor switching means 53, a s'peed indicating de- 55 having a plurality of traverse guide pulleys 51 therein, and an equal number of frictional drives 58 for take-up spools 44 and a capstan 56. The traverse frame 55 comprises a lower horizontal member, an upper horizontal member and substantially vertical side members connecting the horizontal members, the guide pulleys 51 being secured to the side members. 'I'he capstan 56 comprises a steel cylinder of large diameter with a thick soft rubber cover which provides sufficient friction to prevent slipping of the Wires 18 by merely passingI them over the top. Frame 28 and box shaped base 58 mutually support and are connected by a platform 4| and a pair of braces 42. A mandrel 43 is supported by the pair of braces 42.

The supply spool brackets 22 (Figs. 1, 3, 4 and 7) 'which support the supply spools 68 are mounted in two columns on the framework 28 at the inner end of the enamel coating unit 45 on one side of the oven 2| so that the axes of' the spool in each column are in a common vertical plane. Each of the supply spool brackets 22 includes a drum 6| (Figs. 3, 4 and 5) upon whichv the supply spool 68 is assembled. The drum 6| is mounted on a vertical stud shaft 62 which shaft is journalled in a housing 63 on an arm 64 pivotedat 18. .This construction permits movement of the supply spool drum 6| and the spool 68 from the normal position shown in full lines in Fig.

4 to the position shown in dotted lines at the left of Fig. 4.

- outside of the oven 2| To prevent the supply spools 68 from overrunning,.suitable friction means are provided. These friction means comprise a pliable felt friction ring-65 which bears on the lower .surface of the drum 6|, a stationary metallic friction ring 6| which bears against the lower surface of .the felt friction ring 65, and a spring ring 61 which bears against the lower surface of the metallic ring 66. The metallic ring 66 and spring ring 61 are slidably keyed in the housing 63 to prevent the rotation of these two rings with respect to the housing 63. Anadjusting screw 68 is provided so that the pressure of a bifurcated lever 69 against the spring ring 61 can be controlled to regulate the pressure on the felt ring 65 located between the rotary drinn 6| and the stationary metallic ring 66.

Multiple grooved pulleys 25 of a relatively large diameter, made of an aluminum alloy, and independently rotatable on a shaft 1| mounted in a rotatable frame 12, are provided at the lower inner end of the enamel coating unit, and, similar multiple grooved pulleys 29 of a relatively large diameter, made of an aluminum alloy, and independently rotatable on a shaft 16 mounted inrv a fixed frame 11, are provided at the upper inner end of the enamel coating unit vertically above the lower pulleys 25. The fixed frame 11 is supported by the framework 28 and the rotatable frame 12 (Figs. 8 and `9) is fulcrimed on pad brackets 98 by means of two pivot screws 13.

mounted in one of the the size of the wire being enameled.

Each of the pulleys 25 and 29 are provided with a plurality of peripheral grooves, one for each pass of wire, as additional coats of enamel are applied. 'I'he diameter of the peripheral grooves in each of the pulleys 25 and 29 are slightly larger in order of sequence of the portions of wires 18 passing over them.

Individual guide hooks 23 (Figs. 6 and 7) are provided to guide the wires 18 as they pass from the supply spools 68 to the idler sheaves 24. The guide hooks 23 and idler sheaves 24 are mounted on the framework 28 and are arranged to guide the wire from the supply spools 68 transversely behind and out of engagement with the vertical moving portions of the wires 18.

A glass bar 19 (Figs. 1 Yand 7) is provided above the guide hooks 23 to prevent the portions of the wires 18 which are moving downward on vthe from vibrating to an extent which would permit them to come in contact with the outer wall of the oven 2|.

A pad designated generally at 38'(Figs.*1, 8 and 9) is mounted onthe pair of pad brackets 98A by means of wing screws H4. The pad 38 comprises a pad face 93 (Figs. 10, 1l and 12) formed of thin pliable porous felt, a pad backing 94 formed of a thicker piece of pliable porous felt, a perforated metal plate 95, a pad holder 96.'

accanto and the perforated metal plate 95. The `pad face 93 is secured to the pad holder 96 by the clamp plate 98 located at the bottom of the pad holder 96, clamp plates 99 located at the sides of the pad holder' 96, clamp plate |00 and stretching plate located at the top of the pad holder 96. 'Ihe side of the pad holder 96. Adjusting screws |03 are provided to move the stretching plate 0l in order to stretch the `pad face 93. One of the pad brackets 90 has a passage I5 which connects a line of piping 9| with the recess or reservoir 91 between the pad holder 96 and the perforated plate 95. The enameling compound flowing in the line of piping 9| passes through the passage in the pad bracket 90, into the recess or reservoir 91 between the pad holder 96 and perforated metal plate 95, and through the perforations in the metal plate 95, maintaining a predetermined level of the compound in the recess 91 and thereby saturating the outer surface of the pad face 93 with enameling compound which filters through the lfelt pad backing 94 and felt pad face 93 slowly and constantly.

A metal bar |01 (Figs.,10, 11 and 12) is positioned in the recess 91 againstthe perforated plate 95 approximately midway against the top and bottom of the plate 95 (Fig. 11). Adjusting screws |08 in the pad holder 96 bear against themetal bar |01. WhenA the adjusting screws |08 are tightened the metal bar |01 springs the perforated plate 95 outward at the center thereof and changes the surfaces of the perforated plate 95, the pad'backing 94 and .pad face 93 from plane surfaces to cylindrical surfaces.

^ An enameling compound supply tank 3| (Figs. 1, 8 and 9), which is connected through a control valve 92 to the line of piping 9|, is supported ,by the framework 20. The supply tank 3| has a lid 82 upon which lid is mounted an upper compartment 83. A strainer 34 formed of a fine mesh wire screening covers an aperture'in the lid 82. A bracket 85 is securedA to the under side of the lid 82'. A oat 81 having associated therewith a stemv 86 and knob 88 is assembled` in the bracket 85 with the stem 86 and knob 88 projecting above the lid 82 to indicate the level of the enameling compound in the tank 3|. A drain valve 89 is located in the bottom of the tank 3|.

At the Aend of the pad 30 remote from the passage ||5 an overflow chamber |04 (Fig. ll) is provided and a passage||6 leads from the recess 91 to the overflow chamber |04. flow tubel |05 is slidably mounted inthe pad holder 96 and has an opening |06 communicating with the overiiow chamber |94. The height of the enameling compound in the recess 91 vand the resultant amount of saturation of the pad backing 94 and pad face 93 is controlled-by adjusting the height at which the opening |06 is made in the tube |95 and adjusting the height of the tube |05 with respect to the 'overow chamber |04. y y

The design ofthe pad 30 permits it to be used with the pad face 93 straight and parallel with the wires 10, so that they are in contact with the entire face of the pad, with the central portion of the pad bulged out by the bar |`|'|1,'so`that the wires 10 are in contact with only the central portion thereof, or with the upper portion of the pad.

face extending farther forward than the lower portion .or vice Versa, by placingshims in back ofthe upper or lower portions ofv the clamp plates "and a glass cover |-|3 (Fig. 9)

An over- 99. Inths manner, the design of the pad 30 per-'" mits any desired adjustment.

The amount of enamel picked up by the moving wires 10 from the pad things: First, the amount of pressure of the wires 10 on the pad face 93, which is determined by the stretching plate |0| is fulvcrumed about -the lugs |02 secured to the rear adjustment of the pulleys 25; second, by the level 30 depends upon fourl minedby the adjustment of the height of the opr ening |06 in the-overow tube |05; third, by the curvature of the pad face 93 which is determined by theadjustment of adjusting screws |08 orv by the angle between the face of the pad and the wires 10; and, fourthyby the character of an 'amount of solvent used with the enamel employed.

The. material which drips from the pad 30 is caught by a drip pan |99 extending under pad 30 from which it drains into an overow pan I0 into which pan I |0 the enamel 'from the overflow. tube |05 also drains. The enamel from pan ||0 passes through drain tube iii into drainage tank 32. A fine wire mesh lscreen i2 covering the pan H9 covering the drainage tank 32 serve to keep foreign matter, such as iiies and other insects from clogging the system. A hand pump 33 (Fig. 7) is employed when required, as will be indicated by the float knob 88 (Fig. 8) to elevate the enameling compound from drainage tank 32 to the supply tank 3|.

It has been found, in embodiments constructed and operated in which the pad face 93 was between two and four inches high, considerably less solvent is required in the enamel than when the enamel is applied to a tank and that thei wiping action of the pad enablesr each coating ofenamel to flow evenly about the wire and also be properly baked thereon vin a much shorter time and thereby permits inout an enamel coating, the slots in the adjustable,

screws 26 are adjusted so that they arevertical and with the roots of the slots in a verticalI plane parallel to and to the left of afvertical plane tangential to the pad face 93 of the pad 36,'as

' viewed in Figs. 1 and 8. The first pass of each of the wires 10 is'run'in the slot of the adjustable screw 26 to keep it out of contact with the pad face 93 of the pad 39. The heat in the tubes 21 a wire by running it through will-then burn od any grease, copper particles or other foreign substances which maybe on the bare wires 10 to be enameled, and will also thoroughly anneal copper wire before the first coat of enamel is applied. When desired the rst pass of the wires 10 through the tubes 21 can be given a coating of enamel by 'setting the adjustable screws`26 so that they do not contact with the wires 10 as they pass from the pulley 25 to the pad.30 Locknuts 8| are provided to lock the adjustablev screws 26 in' the desired positions.

An auxiliary pad 8 0 (Figs. 10', 11 and. l2) having a-pliable felt face H1, is provided for usewith the larger sizes offwire to facilitate rapid and thorough application of enamel on the wires 10.

In an embodiment successfully operated the auxiliary pad was designed to be readily removable is provided with apertures at of the felt face ||1 of the main pad 30 is readily adjustable by changing the height of the face I|1 with respect to the upper portions of the arms H0.

The framework supports the oven 2| which the top and bottom through which rectangular tubes21 (Figs. 13, 14, l5, 16 and 17) formedfrom round heavy nickel tubes, extend. The oven 2| comprises outer walls |20 and inner walls |2|, spaced from each other by insulating spacing blocks |22 of lavite. At the bottom of the oven the rectangular tubes 21 are ilxed to the framework 20 and, to allow for expansion and contraction, the tubes 21 areotherwise slidably mounted. Inserted in slots at the bottom of each tube 21 are a pair of slidable dampers 28 to limit the amount of air ascending in the tube 21 and to permit adjusting the opening to the right or left (Fig. 8) as required. 'I'he inner walls |2|v are supported by a slotted plate |23 (Figs. 14 and 16) which rest upon heat insulating supporting blocks |24 of lavite.' Expansion of the inner walls |2| is provided for at the top of the oven 2| by heat insulating sliding blocks |25 of lavite whichsurround the tubes 21 and are slidably mounted in the framework 20. Between the inner walls heat insulating material is provided. 'Ihe heat insulating brickwork |26 is positioned against the inner walls |2| and heat insulating material suchv as rockwool |21 is positioned between the insulating brickwork |26 and the outergwalls |20.

To facilitate the rapid cooling of the wires 10 after they leave the oven 2| and before they `reach the `upper pulley 29, it was found desirable, es-

' pecially in the case of wires of large diameter,

terminal rods |3| to nections from the source of supply are made.v

- tubes 1 and bottom of the tube. 'I'he tubes ZV1-and plates ,at the "temperatures employed.

to provide auxiliary .cooling means. A plurality of tube-like members ||9 of the same internal dimensions as the tubes. 21 with their lower ends connected to the exhaust hood 31, to provide a down-draft through the tube-like members ||9,'

were found satisfactory for this purpose.

'Ihe heating unit 34 is positioned at the lower portion of the oven. The heating unit 34.com

prises two heavy nickel plates |23 (Figs. 14 and 16), one in front of and one in back of the rectangular tubes 21. Suitable resistance wires |29 are mounted4 on the plates |28 and are insulated therefrom and from the tubes 21 by means of insulators |30 of lavite, which insulators are mount- The 'ends of theresistance to low resistance copper which the electrical coned on the plates |28. wires |29 are welded Porcelain insulators |32 insulate the resistance lwires |29 and terminal rods |3I from the inner the oven and from the heat insulating materials. The-- heating units 34 and oven 2| are'desig'ned to produce a temperature of appr inmately 1300 Fahrenheit within the approximately midway between the top and outer walls of which-will not flake v To permit the of repairs on the heating unit, the side |23 are made of pure nickel of the oven 2| from which the heating unit termi- -air spaces. 1;

nals- |3|pr otrude is outer wall plates |33 providedl with removable and removable inner wall plates |34. Blocks |24.-and |25 held in place by means of screws |38 seated in recesses formed in theblocks and threaded into the walls of the oven, therecesses'formlng heat insulating dead embodiment constructed and of the sixteen rectangu- -In a particular found satisfactory,

|2| rand the outer walls |20,

21, over the pulleys shaft and driven at extremity to the shaft AIl. the pawl |43 becomesiammed V 2,032,950 with respect'to the face 93 approximately 100 inches were approximatelyy .312

per minute, which speed is approximately .three times that formerly found practicable.

The solvents in the enameling compound which A are driven oithe coated wires 10 by the heat in the tubes 21 are drawn from the tops of the rectangular tubes 21 into an exhaust system equipped with a suction fan (not shown). 'I'he exhaust vided with removable plates (Fig. 1) to facilitate removing the condensate as required. An exhaust damper 4| having a stem extension |35 which indicates the setting thereof on a scale |31 (Fig. 7) is employed to re ate the pressure difference between the atmosphere and the gases in the exhaust condenser 33 as indicatedon the manometer 39.

'Ihe first portions of the wires 10 pass upward from the pad 30, through the rectangulartubes outside of the oven 2| tothe lower pulleys 25.

The last portions of wires 10'pass upward through the tubes 21 of the oven 2|, over the pulleys 29. under the mandrel 43 (Fig. l)v and over the capstan 56. The mandrel 43 yhas a plurality of peripheral grooves equal in number to the number of pulleys 29 and is adapted to form a member to which loose ends oi' wire may be attached when threading the wires 10 through the machine or when one ofthe wires breaks during the operation of the machine.

The base houses the`vertical motor 5|, motor switch 53 and rheostat 52 for controlling the motor speed. On the produced axis of the motor the motor speed are two shafts |40 (Figs. 18, 21 and 22) and I42,(1"'lg.22).v

and extends to the height of the compartment .or box |4|. The'shaft |40 is coupled at its upper tends to a capstan housing |43 (Fig. 1) within which husingsuitable gearingls provided'to.

drive the capstan 50. The shaft |42 is housed in a tube |44 (Figs. 1 and 22).

, Suitable gearing,` indicated'gen/elly at' |04 (Fig. 22) is provided in the box o compartment |4| to drive the speed indicating/device I4 from shaft |40. l

condenser 38 is pro.

|42 which later shaft exan exhaust hood 31 whichk is connected through an exhaust condenser 3l t0 29. and downward on the a The shaft un' is flexibly coupled to the mom 5| '.59

, In the lower portion of the}compertm'entior box |4|, a sleeve |45 (Fig. 18) houses a pawl |43 which engages withv the right and left hand screw of a non-rotatable traversebar- |411., I'hesleeve |45 is driven from the shaft 40 through a-worm |40, a worm gear andsleeve integral therewith |49, gears |50 and, |33. shaftV III, change gears |52 and |53, a shaft and bevel pinion I integral therewith, bevel gear |33 and a-spring pin |33.

traverse bar |41', the torque ofthe bevel gm lu changing change gears ing the spring pin |56 to recede from a drilled spot recess in bevel gear |55, which permits the bevel gear |55 to rotate without introducing dangerous lstresses in any of the traverse mechanism, to accommodate the difvferent sizes of wires being coated, is changed by |52 and |53.

One end of the traverse bar |41 is connected to one arm of a bifurcated lever |58 (Figs. 18 and by means of av screw |61 and 'a square block |62 which is assembled in a slot in the arm of the y lever |58. 'Ihe movement of the traverse bar a clockwise and single lever |64 (Fig. 2o) through a square block frame 55.

|41 in and out, as viewed in Fig. 20, imparts first then a counterclockwise motion to a vertical bar |59 which is secured to the bifurcated lever |58 by means of a taper pin |60. The upper arm of the bifurcated lever |58 is fastened to the bottom of the traverse frame |88 and a stud. |63 secured to the traverse frame 55 and imparts an oscillatory motion to theV traverse The bar |59 imparts the same motion to the top of the traverse frame 55 through a (Figs. 18 and 20) a square block |89 and a stud |90. Suitable giides |92 and |93 (Figs. 2 and 21) at the top and bottom respectively of box |4| maintain a straight line motion of the traverse frame 55 as it oscillates.

Threaded'into the frame 55 (Fig. 21) and extending through a plurality of flat springs |65 are u a. plurality of adjusting screws |66 on each of which is rotatably mounted a sheave 51. The adjusting screws |66 are set to bring the sheaves 51 into correct registry with the take-up spools 44 so that the wires 10may be laid evenly on the take-up spools 44. The iiat springs |65 impart pressure endwise of the screw |66 to preserve its adjustment.

Pinned to the vertical shaft |40 (Fig. 21) are a plurality of spiral gears |68 meshing with an equal number of spiral 1 gears |69 which are secured to an equal number of horizontal shafts |10. The friction drives 58 are secured to each end of the shafts |10 and each is constructed as follows; Slidably keyed to the shaft |10 is a sleeve |1| the outer side of which is secured to the inner race of a ball bearing |12. The outer race of the ball bearing |12 is fixed in ring|13. A ring shaped yoke |14 th a cylindrical projection on one side and a forked projection diametrically opposite to the cylindrical projection'surrounds the ring |13.- A fulcrum Ascrew |15 extends through and is secured in a .projection from the compartment or box |4|. The screw |15 extends y into the cylindrical projection of the ring shaped yoke |14. A double collar screw |16 is assembled in thenforked projection of the yoke |14 and is threadedl into the compartment or box |4|. -TWo pivot screws |11 are secured in the ring portion of the yoke |14 on a diameter normal to the plane of the axis of shaft |10 and screws |15 and |16. The pivot screws |11 pivot in diametrically opposite holes in the ring |13 When' the screw |16 is turned, the ring shaped yoke |14 is rocked about the fulcrum screw |15 and by means of the pivot screws |11, ring |13, and ball bearing |12, a movement is imparted to the 'sleeve |1| longitudinally to the shaft |10.

A soft felt friction ring |18 is secured to a metal ring |19 which rng |19 is slidably mounted on sleeve |1| by' means of three headed pins |80. A corrugated spring ring |8| is located between Iring |19 and sleeve |1| and surrounds the three pins |80. Abracket |82'is secured to the projection from the compartment or box |4| and nous@ the parts. The pitch of Ward and are tal direction through v a through the tube 21 of the oven a shaft |63 having its axis in line with shaft |10. A friction disc |84 is secured to the inner end of the shaft |83, and a spool holder |85 is secured to the outer end of the shaft |83. When the yoke |14 is'rocked toward the take-up spool 44 the sleeve |1| lslides in the same direction and compresses the spring ring |8|'. This increases the pressure between the driving friction ring 18 and the driven friction disc |84. The driving friction ring |18 is rotated at .all times a little faster than the maximum desired speed for the spool 44 and driven disc |84 but the rotation of thespool is retarded by the tension of the wire 10 between the capstan 56 and the spool '44. Therefore, regardless of the diameter of the spooled wire upon the spool 44, the spool 44'will rotate only as fast as is permitted by the delivery of wire from the capstan in the wire 10 is regulated by the,V pressure between the friction surfaces. The rotation of the spool 44 may be stopped by disengaging the friction surfaces.

The spool holder |85 .is formed from a sheet of spring steel and has a body in the shape of a ring with six equally spaced radial arms extending therefrom. Three alternate arms extend outformed to have an embossment on the end thereof as shown at |86 and the other three extend inward and are formed to have a shoulder on the end thereof as shown at |81. The sheet steel from which the spoolholder |85 is formed is'of sufficient thickness to insure proper spring in the arms |86 to permit sliding a take-up spool 4l over the embossments at the end ofthe arms |86, and-When the spool 44 is in its normal position against the shoulder of the arm v|81 to provide suicient spring pressure against the inside of the spool drum of the 4take-up spool 44 to drive it.

The machine as disclosed is capable of simultaneously enameling sixteen individual strands of wire 10. In the operation of the machine each of the wires 10 to be coated is fed from a supply spool l and passes in an approximately horizonand over an idler sheave groove on the left side of a rotatable multiple 'grooved pulley 25 and around the pulley, upward through the slot in an adjustable screw 26 through avertical tube 21 in the oven 2| (to properly anneal the wireand burn oif any foreign substances that rnay be the left side of a rotatable multiple grooved pulley 29 and around the pulley, downward on the outside of the oven 2| to the next groove in the pulley 25 and around the pulley, upward in contact with the saturated pad face 93 30 (to receive the first coat-of enamel) ,through Ithe tube 21 (where the enamel coating just applied is thoroughly baked onto the wire), to the in pulley 29, from which the wire 10 passes several more times around; the pulleys 25 and 29, contacts with the pad face 93 and passes Affter the last pass-ofy the wire 10 passes through the tube 21, the wire 10 passes over the groove on the right side of pulley 29 andin an approximately horizontal direction, under the mandrel 43 to the rubber covered capstan 56, over the capstan 56 and downward over a guide pulley 51 to a take-up spool 44.

The amount -of 10 as it passes over by controlling the trolling the level of the enameling compound in enamel picked up by the wire U-shaped guide hook 23 24, downward to the.

56 and the tension thereon), to the groove on the pad face 93 1s adjusted',A position of pulleys 25, conratus as it heats 'and cools.

' construction of m enana andthe tubes the reservoir 91 and controlling the curvature of the pad face 93. 'I'he tension on the wire 10 is controlled by regulating the adjusting screw 59 which controls the friction on the supply spool 60 and by regulating the adjusting screw |16 which controls the .friction on the drive 58 of the take-up spool 4I. The desired pitch of the traverse frame |52 and |59. The draft withiny the individuaLtubes '21 of the oven 2| is heated and its temperature adjusted by the tem- Derature control device 36. 'I'he motor 5| is started by operation of the starting buttonv 53 and its speed adjusted by the control rheostat 52. The motor 5I drives the capstan 56 and oscillates the traverse frame 55 causing the wires to be drawnthrough'the apparatus.

Another preferred embodiment of the construction of the oven 2| which is supported by the framework 20 is shown in Figs. 23 to 31 inclusive. The oven is provided with'apertures at the top andbottom 'through which the rectangular nickel tubes 21 (Fig. 23)' extend. The inner walls are made in two sections, an upper section 200 and a lower section 20|. All the parts of' the upper and lower inner wall lsections. including the screws and rivets used. are oi' nickel.

'I'he upper inner bolts 205. which pass through a supporting member 206 and lavite insulating blocks 202.

the upper section of the inner wall is shown in Figs. 25, 26. 27 and 28. The sides of the innen walls are made up of a number of lheavy nickel plates. 200 and 209. 'I'he plates 200 have anges2|0 projectingtherefrom, and the plates 209 have U-shapedend projections!" that the `individuel plates een expand and een- `tract lengthwise with respect to each other. The

and 209 are secured to of these plates are left free so that they can expand and contract without creatingiany undesirable stresses in the appa- The lowerlinner wall section 20|. the construction of which is shown in Figs. 29, 30 and 31 is of the same height prises alternate plates 208 having flanges 2|0 and plates 209 having U- shaped ksections 2| The plates are assembled in a manner similar to the bottoms o1' the plates 200 plates in the upper inner wall section, the bottoms of these plates being secured to a plate 2| l. 20| is suspended The lower inner wall section from upper inner wall section 200 by securing the 21 by. sliding them into place Sliding blocks 203` are secured to the lower end of the outer angle plate 2H at the bottom of thelower inner wall section 20| by means of screws 204. The walls |20 aearranged to permitt the blocks 203 to readily slide up and downra's thetvarious parts ,of the oven expand and contract. y .y

WhileV the invention with 55 is obtained by inserting the wall section 200 is suspended from the upper portion of the outer wall |01 by as the heatingunits 3|. It com- 1 =the padfacing.

y strand overA the herein, it is to be understoodthat various modulcations may be made therein without departing from the spirit of applicants `of which is defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A strand enamelling ,apparatus pad having a substantially vertical face of pliable to the strand. 1 2. In a strand `coating apparatus, `a pad for applying a coating to a strand Jby moving the tact with the facing. i 5. In a pad for applying a coatingto a strand by 7; In a pad for applying a coating toa strand by moving the strand relatively to the pad and in pliable porous of pliable porous material and a perforated metal the same,.-mea` ns to move a kpad and .in'contact therewith', and/ means to' adjustably tilt the invention, the scope controllably vary the contact oi the facing' with a strand moving thereover. v

9. In a strand coating apparatus, a pad for applying a coating to a strand, means to move the strand over the pad in contact therewith, and means to-adjustabiy alter the yarea of contact between the pad and the strand.

10. Ina strand coating apparatus, a pad for r applying a coating to a strand, means to move 3 the strand over the pad in contact therewith,l

and means to adjustably alter the contour of the pad in contact With the strand.

11. In a strand coating apparatus, a pad for applying a coating to a strand, means to move the strand over the pad in contact therewith and means to adjustably alter the angle of the face of the pad in contact with the strand. 

